A sports club in Ipswich has been successful in its efforts to sway the local council’s planning committee over plans for new padel courts.
Padel Ipswich made its case to Ipswich Borough Council’s planning and development committee on Wednesday, January 7, after councillors had previously been recommended to refuse its plans to convert five warehouses in White House Road into the new courts.
The plans have now been unanimously approved, on the condition the five warehouses return to their previous use should the business vacate the site.
The warehouses had previously been used for spare storage and distribution by Padel Ipswich’s parent company, One Group Construction, but had lain mostly redundant in recent years.
Will Neall, Centre Manager at Padel Ipswich, said: “This is the best possible news to start the year.
“Our new courts are going to help us create a fantastic community asset for Ipswich, and we can’t wait to see new faces come and try this brilliant sport.
“Our thanks go to the councillors for approving our plans and all of our customers for their continued support since we opened our first courts in late 2024.”
In total, the plans will see four padel courts built on the site, alongside two singles courts, two pickleball courts, a games room, a gym and new reception area.
Fears had initially been raised the development would contradict the Ipswich Local Plan, which aims to direct leisure sites into the town centre.
Those concerns were alleviated however, with councillors agreeing the courts would become a major community asset, particularly through link-ups with local schools and charities.
A date to commence the conversion works has yet to be confirmed, with Padel Ipswich set for further discussions with planning officers over a timeline for the project.